Caramel Apple Pudding

A comforting, layered dessert perfect for small gatherings or cozy evenings, featuring caramelized apples, spiced whipped cream, and crunchy vanilla wafers, chilled to allow flavors to meld.

Prep & Total Time

  • Prep Time: 35 minutes (including cooking & assembly)

  • Chill Time: 8–24 hours (to soften wafers and set layers)

  • Total Time: 35 minutes + 8–24 hours

Ingredients

For the Caramelized Apples

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 large crisp sweet-tart apples (1 lb total; e.g., Fuji or Pink Lady), unpeeled

  • ¼ cup lemon juice (from 1–2 lemons)

  • ¼ packed cup dark brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (e.g., Diamond Crystal)

For the Spiced Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups very cold heavy whipping cream

  • 1 packed tablespoon dark brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (e.g., Diamond Crystal)

For Assembly

  • 1 (11-ounce) box vanilla wafers (e.g., Nabisco Premium)

Pro Tips

  • Apple Prep: For faster chopping, cut apples into ½-inch chunks and blitz in a food processor until finely chopped (recommended for even texture and time savings).

  • Chilling: Use a clear serving vessel (e.g., glass trifle dish) to showcase layers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Caramelized Apples

  1. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once foaming subsides, add chopped apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

  2. Stir to coat apples evenly, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender (a fork pierces easily) and the mixture thickens into a chunky, saucy consistency (similar to applesauce). This takes 15–20 minutes.

  3. Transfer to a bowl and cool slightly (to room temperature, or until cool enough to handle—this prevents melting the whipped cream later).

Step 2: Whip the Spiced Cream

  1. In a chilled large bowl (pre-chill the bowl and whisk attachment if using an electric mixer), add cold heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

  2. Whisk by hand or use an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form: Lift the whisk and observe a peak that flops gently onto itself (not stiff or runny). Avoid overbeating (overwhipping creates clumps).

  3. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to layer (keep cold to maintain fluffiness).

Step 3: Layer the Pudding

  1. In a medium bowl or clear serving dish, arrange one-third of the vanilla wafers (about 30–40 wafers, depending on size) in an even layer.

  2. Top with half of the caramelized apples, spreading them to cover the wafers.

  3. Add half of the spiced whipped cream, smoothing the surface.

  4. Repeat the layers: remaining wafers → remaining apples → remaining whipped cream.

  5. Final touch: Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers on top (optional; save crushing until just before serving for extra crunch).

Step 4: Chill to Set

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 8 hours minimum (preferably 12–24 hours) to allow the wafers to soften and flavors to meld.

Storage & Serving

  • Refrigeration: Keep chilled for up to 24 hours. The longer it sits, the softer the wafers become.

  • Serving: Cut into portions with a sharp knife. If you delayed crushing the final wafers, sprinkle them just before serving for a satisfying crunch.

User Reviews & Variations

User Feedback Highlights

  • “EXACTLY what I needed for easy small-Thanksgiving! Substituted Biscoff cookies for wafers—game-changer.”

  • “Pro tip: Use 3:1 heavy cream to thick yogurt (e.g., Greek yogurt) for tangy richness instead of 100% heavy cream.”

  • “Modified to be banana pudding-adjacent: Made vanilla pudding with warm spices, mixed in apple syrup, and used cinnamon graham crackers.”

  • “Adjustments: Double the apples, halve the cream, reduce salt, and add water if the caramel sauce evaporates too quickly.”

  • “Swap vanilla wafers for ginger snaps or Biscoff for a unique twist!”

Enjoy this sweet, spiced, and crunchy layered dessert—ideal for sharing or a solo treat! 🥧🍎